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Dear Parents, Research tells us that family involvement in school increases student achievement. As a school we are continually collecting data and trying to provide the best teaching and learn-ing for all our children. This year we are focusing on 3 key areas which we need your assis-tance and partnership:

Christian Meditation and it's ability to create more compassionate and reflective students

To improve student writing so as to be more creative and collaborative communica-tors

Develop skills to solve mathematical word problems Over the coming Heartlinks we will offer suggestions and ideas to assist you with how you can partner with the school to achieve our goals for 2014 for your child. How can you assist your child to develop in their understanding and practice of Christian Meditation?

Can you find a few moments of quiet with your child at the end of the day? Start a bed time ritual of spending some time with your child reflecting on things to be grateful for. Finish the time together with the school prayer - 'Heart of God, Heart of love, fill my heart with your love'

Find times in your own day for a bit of reflection and silence. Model to your children the importance of quiet prayer to a balanced and holy life.

Ask your children to reflect on their experience of Christian Meditation at school- 'What excites you about meditation?', 'What challenges you?'.

Do a little bit of reading about Christian Meditation for children for yourself. How could Christian Meditation benefit my child? Isn't meditation for adults? Click here to find some wonderful information on Christian Meditation and it's benefits. Talk to your child about what you found out. Show them that even though you are a 'grown up' you are continually learning!

Just trying one of the suggestions above can have an amaz-ing influence on your child's learning and your relationship with them. Let your child see how you are living out the quality of a reflective learner. Have a great week,

G Borg

Schol Fees

Thank you to all families who have finalised school fees for 2013. Could we ask that any outstanding fees be finalised by Tuesday 17 De-cember 2013. Families will once again be offered the Flexible Payment Plan option

Message from the Principal

N E W S L E T T E R D A T E

10th March—15th March

Catholic School’s week

10th March (2pm)

Mrs Boyd & Ms Owens,

share their Outreach ex-

periences from Cambodia

& East Timor.

14th March (8.35am)

Parents are invited to join

Mrs Boyd in the staff room

for a session of Christian

Mediation. RSVP required

COSHC

Supervisor

Natasha Foenander

0418 153 894

coshcmotherteresawest-

mead@parra.catholic.edu.au

Keep up to date with

news from our Parish

www.sacredheartwestmead.co

m.au

5th March 2014

UPCOMING

IMPORTANT

DATES

Annual School Photos

Annual School Photos will be held on Friday 28th March. Formal dress uni-form must be worn. Sibling order forms are available at the School office. We encourage families to order online and return completed order envelope by Monday 24h March.

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Happy Birthday to all our

children who have cele-

brated their birthdays.

(Birthday Certificates will

be distributed in the-

Learning Studios by

teachers).

“Loneliness and the

feeling of being un-

wanted is the most

terrible poverty.”

This year, Mother Teresa Primary will join Catholic schools through NSW and the ACT to celebrate Catholic School Week from 9-15 March.

The theme for CSW 2014 is “ more than a great education’ this is a chance for us to cele-brate what makes us distinct as a Catholic school.

Mother Teresa is built on the school motto of “Gentle Hearts & Creative Minds” These we foster through innovative and engaging teaching and learning experiences and a deep awareness and active response to social justice issues within our school, our local community and the wider community beyond our Australian borders.

Prayer is a vital part of who we are. The Angelus is prayed daily, along with the teaching of other tradition prayers. Faith expression is truly the work of the people, in the involvement and en-gagement of the school community in our prayers, Eucharist celebrations and Liturgies.

At the core of Mother Teresa is our commitment to daily meditation. We hold the ancient Cath-olic tradition of Christian Meditation to be a counter cultural opportunity for all to develop a deep and personal relationship with God.

“Prayer is putting yourself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.” Mother Teresa

As part of our Catholic Schools Week we warmly invite you at attend the official launch of our Project Compassion campaign for 2014- ‘Have life and have it to the full’ John 10:10.

This will be at 2pm on Monday the 10th March in SLS. Myself and Ms Owens will be sharing some of our Outreach experiences from Cambodia and East Timor during the Christmas break. Our students will be showcasing an entry into the Catholic Schools competition –‘ What makes your Catholic school great?’

Then on Friday, 14th March, I invite any parents who would like to join me in the Staff room to experience a session of Christian Mediation beginning at 8.35am – 8 45am. Could you please RSVP to the Office to assist with the setup for this.

Just a reminder that this Friday, 7th March is World Day of Prayer. “Be a voice” visit the Caritas Australia advocacy page and take action today!

caritas.org.au/act

“Love to be real, it must cost- it must hurt- it must empty us of self” Mother Teresa

We look forward to celebrating Catholic schools week with you.

Maria Boyd REC

Installation of the new Parish Priest

Mass for the Installation of Fr Jojo as our new Parish Priest, will be celebrated by Bishop Anthony Fisher, on Sunday 16 March at 9:30am at Sacred Heart Parish. All welcome. A Fellowship lunch will follow Mass and everyone is asked to bring a plate to share.

WSWCPS—Swimming Trials

Congratulations to Erika Lucas (SLS) who has been selected to participate in the WSWCPS Swimming Trials at Homebush on 28th March 2014. We wish Erica best of luck.

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School Uniforms

A reminder that from Monday 10 March 2014 you will no longer be able to purchase uniforms from the school, but will need to purchase direct from OZ Fashions, 115-127 Parramatta Road, Granville. Uniforms will be available 6 days per week during the following hours:-

Monday to Friday 9am – 5:30pm Saturday 9am – 4pm

We will hold a small supply of hats and ties at school, but all other items need to be purchased from OZ Fashions direct. There is a Uniform Order on our website which can be emailed to OZ Fashions at any time. They will prepare your order which will be available for collection from their shop-front during the above hours.

If you wish to purchase uniforms, TOMORROW will be the last day to do so from the school office.

School Fees

School Fees have now been issued and are due by 7 March 2014.

If you have already made payment, thank you. Please contact Margaret Hopley if you are experiencing any diffi-culties with payment, at any time.

PARENT HELP REQUIRED: Covering of new books

We have just taken delivery of a large number of reading books for Mother Teresa stu-dents. If you can spare a few hours to assist with covering these new books for our stu-dents, we would greatly appreciate it. The school will provide you with contact and books Please call the school office if you can assist with this request.

Parent Calendar

Please be aware that our school calendar can now be viewed on our website. Families are able to view up and coming events throughout the year via this calendar.

http://www.motherteresawestmead.catholic.edu.au/school-events

Asthma Procedures

Did you know that 1 in 6 children in NSW have a diagnosis of Asthma which is one of the major causes of child-hood admissions to hospital and of school absenteeism? Mother Teresa Primary is an Asthma Friendly School. We recognise that Asthma is a health priority in our school as a number of our students suffer from Asthma. While in the past asthma puffers and spacers were stored in the office, they should now remain with the stu-dents so that they are accessible at all times. Parents and students should negotiate with their teacher as to where the puffer and spacer should be kept. For most children this will be their school bag. Children need to be encouraged to manage their condition. A puffer is a preventative measure and it is more effective when used before an asthma attack. If a spacer is used it needs to be washed thoroughly. Parents are requested to ensure that the spacer is cleaned after it is used and on a regular basis. Puffers and spacers will also need to be accessi-ble to students on excursions and for all activities outside of school.

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Catherine McAuley Westmead

Enrolments for Year 7 2015

Catherine McAuley Westmead holds a number of School Open Mornings throughout the year.

There are two Open Mornings remaining for Year 7 2015 enrolments on:

Tuesday 11th March and Thursday 3rd April 2014

9.15 – 11am

These mornings will give interested parents and students the opportunity to tour our school on a normal school day. You will be able to view our school grounds and facilities, go into classrooms and meet our students and teachers. Enrolment packs will be availa-ble on the day.

To book places for a school tour on one of these tour mornings please contact our School Reception on 9849 9100.

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